Israel's tourism minister is "delighted" an airline has announced a new direct connection between Luton and Eilat from October.

Wizz Air announced the new route on Tuesday, saying it would fly to Israel's southernmost city from October 28, in addition to its existing route from Luton to Tel Aviv that it launched last year.

Yariv Levin, Israel's minister of tourism, said: “We are delighted that Wizz Air has decided to launch a second route from the UK...

"This is a very exciting time for travel to Israel, with the launch of many new carriers and routes from across the globe. With more carriers flying to Israel it is clear that there is an ever-increasing demand to visit Israel."

Sharon E. Bershadsky, director of the Israel Government Tourism Office for the UK and Ireland, said: “Eilat benefits from the warm and dry desert climate all year round whilst sitting on the edge of the amazing Red Sea and surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery - it makes Eilat the perfect winter sun destination."